It's not in the paper but here's a game story

Okay, not sure how this will work but here’s a game story off last night’s action. Will have the usual fare maybe a bit later than normal on Thursday morning.

Oh and I don’t know how to do photo credits so it was the multi-talented Rene Johnston who shot these.

 

It ended in victory.

And a bit of a controversy.

And an apology.

The Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, 90-72 before a sparse crowd announced at 15,629 at the Air Canada Centre – a significant in their hoped-for ascension through the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings.

Jose Calderon was sublime, 14 points and 11 assists in 31 minutes, pressed into extra service because he was playing so well; and the first thing he said after the game was that he was sorry.

Calderon had thrown an ill-advised lob pass to Landry Fields for the last basket of game – with just 15 seconds left and the game nowhere near in doubt – angering Sixer coach Doug Collins, who had a verbal set-to with Raptors coach Dwane Casey in the hallway leading off the court.

“That wasn’t me,” said Calderon. “I want to say I’m sorry for the last play. I didn’t realize the time and I feel bad about it.

I know coach Doug Collins was mad about that so I’m going to use you guys to apologize for that.

“That’s not Jose Calderon, I didn’t realize the exact timing. I threw that without realizing what I was doing.”

The play really wasn’t that big a deal, the Raptors would have to take a shot at sometime before the buzzer began but it broke some unspoken code and even Casey made mention of it.

“I didn’t want them to shoot that last basket but, again, you can’t control guys,” said Casey.

“Things happen, we’re big boys and that happens. Believe me, we’ve had it happen to us 15, 20 times this year, we’re down getting our butts kicked … and they’re trying to put their foot on our throat.

“We never want to embarrass anybody. It goes back to coach (Adolph) Rupp at Kentucky. He always wanted to hold the ball and I believe in that. But, again, Jose must not have heard me, he saw Landry going for a lob and thought there was more time on the clock.”

But the incident couldn’t take away from the way the Raptors registered their 13th victory of the season to inch closer to Philadelphia in the conference standings.

The Raptors were certainly not sharp but there more than good enough at key junctures of the game to win going away.

Using basically a seven-man rotation – Terrence Ross missed the game with a bum ankle, Aaron Gray didn’t off the bench and Mickael Pietrus lost his starting job to Fields and played just eight minutes – they held Sixer guard Jrue Holiday in check and were better whenever the game got close.

It may have been exhausting for the players, but it was necessary.

“It was tough but I kept checking with them, kept checking with them,” said Casey. “I just felt like the rhythm certain groups had, had it going; Jose did a helluva job executing and running the show.

“It kind of short-changed Kyle (Lowry) a little bit but I just felt comfortable and Jose had us going. He was making shots and I wanted to keep him in.”

 

 

 

 

Comments

[GM]

I wonder if the Collins reaction (and any coach's reaction to these kinds of things) isn't more just a way to get his own team fired up for the next time they play each other. You hit on the unspoken code, but as you said, they would have had to take a shot anyway. Big deal. These guys are such ninnies. Two extra points is rubbing it in? I'll never understand that. They forget it's also entertainment. What ever happened to playing hard right to the final buzzer?

What's your take on Lowry leaving without talking to reporters? No big deal or was he pissed?

Blogger's note: He's usually quick out and I saw him leave with his 16-month-old son, that might have been part of it, too

[Andrew from Berlin]

Please don't forget to share your best Philly newspaper headline!

Blogger's note: Late start but am about to type it

[Willy Wonka]

There was no need for an apology. The point stands clear that they HAD TO TAKE A SHOT.

[Yony]

Doug Collins is pretty 'old school' when it comes to running the clock at the end of game, I would wager he was genuinely upset.

Just recently he stopped his team from reaching 100 in a win (They have burgers instead of Pizza):

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/features/articles/170341-doug-collins-denies-philly-fans-free-big-macs

[Arlene]

Lowry looked out of sorts last night.....wasn't able to run offense effectively. Hope his head is in the game for future matches.

[Eric-in-NS]

What two players lead the NBA in triple doubles this season?
(Sometimes it's fun to ask a question when I know the answer!)

[Lindsay]

TV crew caught Jose going through the curtain to apologize immediately after the game to some of the Philly players before they had entered the dressing room so I suspect not much will come of this. Especially if they are up 15 at the same point in the next game Philly.

[Hope Caper]

Couldn't agree more. Tough grind it out game that this team couldn't play under Mitchell or Triano (And I liked Jay's work with the young guys). Anytime this team was challenged like the mini-shootout between Holliday and Calderon the Raps smothered them. I couldn't believe the Raps shot over 48% because at one point it seemed no one could score.